New Delhi: Relations with Pakistan can only progress in an “environment free of terror, hostility and violence,” however, the neighbouring nation continues to use “terrorism as an instrument of state policy” against India, the Centre informed Parliament on Friday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said this while responding to Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav’s query on the present status of relations between India and Pakistan since the Pulwama terror attack, along with the changes that have taken place at the political, diplomatic and trade level between the two countries.
“It is the government’s firm position that India’s relations with Pakistan can only move ahead in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. However, Pakistan continues to follow the policy of cross-border terrorism and using terrorism as an instrument of state policy against India,” the EAM said in a written response in the Lok Sabha.
Following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, India withdrew Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan, and hiked customs duty on all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan to 200 per cent, he said.
Pakistan, subsequently, announced certain unilateral measures, including downgrading of diplomatic relations and suspension of bilateral trade with India, the government said.
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, India took a number of diplomatic steps, including placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, closing the check-post in Attari, restricting visas, and downsizing diplomatic and official presence at the respective Missions, Jaishankar said.
“Military action targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was also undertaken. At present, India and Pakistan maintain their respective diplomatic Missions in each other’s capital,” he added.
Both sides continue to have functional engagements, including DGMO-level talks, exchange of pre-notifications of flight testing of ballistic missiles, and the sharing of lists of nuclear installations and prisoners in each other’s custody, the Union minister said.
The minister was also asked the number of bilateral talks held between India and Pakistan at various levels during the last five years along with the issues discussed therein and whether the government “still maintains that normal bilateral relations” with Pakistan are not possible until cross-border terrorism ends.
“India has made clear its approach of responding appropriately against cross-border terrorism and its infrastructure, not tolerating any form of blackmail and taking comprehensive steps to protect its citizens. These considerations shape India’s conviction that normal bilateral relations require an end to cross-border terrorism,” he said.